Matthew 28:20b - July 29, 2010
Matthew 28:20b - July 29, 2010
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20b
Jesus' love for us was so great that he came to earth, leaving his glorious heavenly home to live humbly among us. He came to take our place. He took upon himself the frightful burden of our sin and allowed it to crush him by a cruel death on the cross. Victoriously, he rose from the dead proving that he is the world’s Savior. He did all this for us that we might live forever with God. Though our Savior has ascended into heaven, he has not left us. He promises that he will always be with us.
His abiding presence is a great comfort. He knows the problems and hardships we face. He knows the difficulties we have as we strive to do his work on earth. That's why he assures us that he will never leave us alone. Jesus is the all-powerful God who is always present wherever we are, guiding and upholding us. He is with us in our homes, in hospitals, in schools, in churches, at our work places. He is always present to continually strengthen, comfort, assure and support us. Therefore, we can live confidently in the peace of the forgiveness of sins that we have through him, and we can work diligently to do his work of making disciples for him by sharing the gospel.
Jesus is with you; have no doubt about it. You can face today and the rest of all your days with the certainty that your Savior loves you and is leading you step by step closer to the last day when he will take you to be with him in heaven!
(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 588):
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me!
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide me!
___________________________________________
With this devotion, the series on the Gospel of Matthew comes to a close. I pray that the message of God’s Word that we studied from this Gospel has been a blessing for you. Beginning next week, we will start another devotional series based on the Old Testament book of Ruth. Watch for these devotions every Tuesday and Thursday, and continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
Pastor Michael Hintz
WELS Evangelism
evangelism@wels.net
Today's Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
